SteriPEN Fact or Fiction?
 

I saw this product today in an email from the NRA, has anyone used a product like this before?

SteriPEN™ Adventurer Handheld Water Purifier
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Don’t travel, hike, camp or hunt without the SteriPEN! This is a powerful product in a small simple to use package. SteriPEN™ is the only portable water purifier that uses ultraviolet (UV) light to destroy waterborne microbes. Whether your source is a woodland brook or an overseas hotel tap, SteriPEN purifies clear water by destroying viruses, bacteria and protozoa—including Giardia and Cryptosporidium—in seconds. It’s the fastest route to pure, safe drinking water anywhere. Purify 16 ounces in 48 seconds. Includes 2 batteries, a nylon case and a users guide. Imported.

It's fact, BUT, it won't remove toxins. Which is equally important. So while it might kill a wide variety of dangerous organisms, it won't remove arsenic or other compounds that are hazardous to life. Distilling or Molecular Sieves (like osmotic filters) are the only way to really accomplish that. That however might be overkill.

Mark

they also have a solar recharger for them also great little item

Reviews from a backpacking site are less than stellar. They are best used in conjunction with a water filter (with an activated charcoal pre-filter) -the combo will get out sediment and junk, large bacteria, and a lot of (not all) chemicals through the filter, and then the UV kills the remaining viruses. When they work, they're great, but all of the backpackers I know carry backup to this thing - just in case.

You have to get sediment out or it won't kill everything as the particles can contain bacteria or viruses. It is best used post filter to kill viruses that the filter can not remove. I also doubt it would be very effective on anthrax unless used mush longer.

-yarro